City of Modesto, California News Release

Six Arrests Made in California Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation

NEWS RELEASE

Release Date: March 19, 2014

Modesto Police Department

Media Relations Unit

Office of the Chief of Police

600 10th Street, Modesto, CA95354

Author: Heather Graves

Modesto, CA – Agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and Crime Reduction Team Officers from Modesto Police Department joined forces with law enforcement agencies throughout California in a Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation designed to help reduce youth access to alcohol.

The task force operation was conducted on Saturday, March 15, 2014 and resulted in six arrests. Four individuals were cited for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors, one individual was arrested for furnishing alcoholic beverages to a minor and a warrant and one other individual was arrested for three warrants.The operation was conducted statewide.

ABC agents and local law enforcement conducted a program called a Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation which can lead to the arrest of adults who purchase alcohol for people under 21 years old.Under the program, a minor under the direct supervision of a peace officer will stand outside a liquor or convenience store and ask patrons to buy them alcohol.The minor indicates in some way he or she is underage and cannot purchase the alcohol.

If the adults agree to purchase alcohol for the minor, officers then arrest and cite them for furnishing alcohol to the minor.The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

The program is intended to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors.According to the American Medical Association, underage drinking can increase chances of risky sexual behavior and teen pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, compromise health, and result in unintentional injury and death.

Many local operations were funded by the California Alcoholic Beverage Control through the department’s Grant Assistance Program (GAP), and some were funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). ABC is a Department of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.

If you have any information regarding criminal activity, please call Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636.Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.Tipsters may also text information to Crime Stoppers at 274637.Just type “TIP704” along with your message.